When shopping for a new mattress, you can easily fall into a research rabbit hole. There are so many options out there, all claiming to be the best. How can you choose the one that is right for you? Our “Basics of Buying” blog series is here to help! Today we are discussing Mattress Materials. There are three main mattress designs: traditional spring mattresses, foam mattresses, and hybrid mattresses. Which might be the best for you?
Spring Mattresses
Spring mattresses, also known as coil mattresses, are a series of springs, each flexing and supporting your body. On top of these springs you will generally find three comfort options. The tight top has minimal padding layers and is firmer in feel. The plush top feel has more cushioning and is considered medium. The pillowtop describes an extra comfort layer attached on top in order to put an extra cushion to provide a soft feel. These different types of tops can change the feel of the mattress to slightly softer or slightly firmer without changing the main support.
Pocketed coils vs. interconnected coils
In a pocketed coil mattresses, the springs are wrapped in a fabric pocket, and these fabric pockets are all attached in rows. This allows for each spring to operate independently, providing targeted support, conforming to your body, and reducing motion transfer. Springs in an interconnected coil mattresses are directly connected together. This can be a more economical construction, but it can mean a noticeable bounce when a partner is moving in bed, and it does mean that these mattresses will not perform well if used with an adjustable base.
What difference does coil count make?
“Coil count” is the number of coils total in the mattress. The higher the coil count, the better that mattress will conform to your body, providing an overall better sleeping experience assuming you are talking about the same type of coils when comparing. Since there are more coils to flex and support, they tend to also be made with higher quality materials, higher coil count mattresses are likely to take longer to wear out as well.
Foam Mattresses
As opposed to having individual springs flexing and supporting your body, foam provides continuous contouring to your body. Foam mattresses are known for reducing the amount of motion transfer when a partner is moving on the bed. (Although, if you find the right mattress, one that provides the right combination of support and pressure relief, there should be less tossing and turning in the bed anyways. But that is a conversation for a different blog!) There are three main types of foam mattresses, each with its unique characteristics: Memory foam, Tempur-Pedic material, and Latex.
Memory Foam mattresses are known for their pressure relief and reduced motion transfer, and are generally more economical than Tempur-Pedic or Latex mattresses. These synthetic foam mattresses can be very durable and lightweight, easy to move if needed. In most cases if you spend the same amount of money on a spring mattress as a memory foam mattress you often get better value and options from memory foam.
Tempur-Pedic mattresses provide unparalleled pressure relief and motion cancellation, to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Tempur-Pedic are high tech foam mattresses, with different layers of foam with different qualities of support and temperature regulation, providing options for all types of sleep needs. Tempur-Pedic has been voted the J.D. Power award for #1 in customer satisfaction for the third year in a row. Tempurpedic mattress typically last 5-10 years longer than spring mattresses and regular memory foam mattresses.
Latex mattresses are made with latex, a natural material harvested from the rubber tree. Latex mattresses are popular for their eco-friendly qualities, and are known for excellent support and durability. There are several techniques of processing the latex and creating mattresses with the material, some techniques involve mixing latex with synthetic materials to create different feels, and to help reduce cost to the consumer. A lot of people like the feel of latex compared to memory foam or Tempurpedic because you are on the mattress and not sinking into the mattress. It is also the easiest foam material to move on and sleeps cooler than regular memory foam mattresses.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine a spring system in their base with a foam material top. This dual system has a different feel than either all spring or all foam mattresses. You might notice more support when you sit on the edge than on an all foam mattress, and a more contoured feel than a spring mattress. The general benefit to a hybrid mattress is that you get the pressure relief and contouring from memory foam on top and it is completely flat with no stitching and you get the familiar bounce feel underneath from the springs. It is a great option when neither traditional spring or all foam quite hits the spot.
Which type do you think might be the best for you?
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